John 8:31-32 – “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ” If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”  NASB

My purpose is not to start a firestorm of religious argument, but to call attention to both the requirement and promise of our LORD to those of that day and us today.  He was speaking to Jews who believed Him or believed in Him.  They believed He was who He claimed to be, “Messiah”.  They believed that He had the words of eternal life.  They recognized Him as a great prophet and knew that His message was completely other than that of the religious leaders of their day.  The believed!

Jesus then said something troubling for many.  He said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will now the truth and the truth will make you free.”  There are many facets of what He said that need to be considered, observed, and accepted if we are to find, have, receive, and walk in the Abundant Life He Promised and become the Glorious Church He came to build. 

First, they were believers!  However, Jesus indicated that just believing was not enough to enter into that fullness He taught there had to be Continuing as well.  That continuing meant obedience to His words, precepts, and teachings.  It is only in continuing that we become genuine disciples not simply one that professes a belief that He is who He declares Himself to be. 

The profession of faith is the first step, not the entire race.  It is the beginning, not the conclusion.  If we stop there, we fall so far short of what God has for us we will be tormented by the enemy of our souls and never fulfill the words of Isaiah’s promise in 40:31 – “…They that wait upon the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up like the eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and to become weary.”  We will not find ourselves in the place of Psalm 91 nor will we truly embrace and experience the promise of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30.  So, Continuing is a necessary ingredient in our spiritual development and life.

Next, Jesus promises that If we Continue and become genuine disciples, two things will happen.  We will Know the Truth and that Truth that we know will make us free.  I said the Truth that you know not just truth.  Yes, God’s truth is what makes us free but if we do not know that truth, we will not exercise faith with regard, to it nor will we walk in that truth, and being made free requires both knowing and obeying therefore it is The Truth that You Know that makes you Free.  Not your own definition of truth but God’s Truth.  God’s Truth becomes part of your being, part of your consciousness, and shapes who you are.  So, continuing in His Word in obedience leads to Freedom. 

It is not enough to give mental assent to the truth we must continue in it.  It is not enough to express the belief that Jesus is the Christ we must continue in His truth and as we embrace that truth, walking it out in our lives that Truth liberates us, empowering us to stand in the face of all temptation and in the midst of any storm of life. 

God, bless you as you continue in His Word and Follow Him fully and freely!

Luke 6:46-49 – “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?  47 ” Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like:  48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.  49 “But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”  NASB

I have witnessed the disparity between what a person says and what they live in and outside the church.  That is a natural reality in life that people say one thing and do another.  However, when it comes to a relationship with God, just saying you are a Christian does not make you one.  Let me state, clearly, that I refuse to be anyone’s judge, and if anyone professes, they are a believer I will evaluate the fruit of their life, contrast their life with their declarations, but leave the determination of whether they are or not to God. 

In this passage, Jesus identified this problem vividly. His words should resonate with us and provide sufficient cause for us to carefully examine our own lives.  Jesus asked, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”  Clearly, it is not our own declaration that makes His Lordship a reality in our lives it is the fruit of our lives that reveals the true condition.  No, I am not offering a justification for becoming judgmental and self-appointed fruit inspectors.  Jesus gave an analogy that is valuable for us as individuals in the self-examination of our own lives.  Let’s examine his comparisons and see if we can glean benefit.

If we Hear, the Words of our LORD and act on them in obedience, Jesus said we could be compared to a prudent and competent builder.  That builder would dig a deep and solid foundation going to bedrock ensuring that if the floods or violent winds came the house would be strong.  In short, “having done all to stand, able to stand.”  The person that Hears, the Words of Christ but does not act or obey them is like the person that ignores the foundation and erects his structure.  It may look wonderful on the outside but has no stability and will easily be destroyed. 

Obedience involves an investment of time and energy in allowing a solid foundation to be built. This is the work of the Holy Spirit with our cooperation as we “study to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly handling the Word of Truth.”  This is allowing the Love of Christ to be shed abroad in our hearts and a commitment to obedience.  This is a love relationship that is not interested in simply looking right or sounding right but being right.

Just because one professes to be a follower of Christ does not mean the fruit of their lives will validate that claim.  When trouble comes, we find out what we are made of.  When the enemy comes in like a flood, we need a foundation that can withstand his assaults.  We must make Christ our Rock and upon that Rock build our lives, otherwise, it is the shifting sand of will-power and nothing more than rain on a tin roof.  Noise but no substance.

God, bless you as you seek Him in all things and at all times! 

Romans 12:3-8 – “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”  NASB

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 – “Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But the man who loves God is known by God.”  NIV

This might be a good devotional for Valentine’s Day but I’m offering it today.  We will not focus on Romantic Love but one of the greatest needs among humans today, LOVE!  More specifically I want to address AGAPE LOVE! I have observed through the years of ministry and Christian service as well as through studying God’s Word that Disunity is the most destructive thing that the New Testament Church faces today.  I believe that even a cursory reading of the New Testament reveals the Unity is one of the greatest needs of the church and can only be realized through a manifestation of AGAPE LOVE! 

I believe it is impossible to read the New Testament without realizing that God has a unique plan for every believer.  God desires that every believer is a functioning member of the Body of Christ and in so doing be a Member of the Family of God which lends itself to being a part of a local congregation.  In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (4:15-16) he addressed this issue of Body Ministry and Love. 

Repeatedly the New Testament writers exhorted believers to engage in specific activities to enable the Body of Christ to function the most productively and thereby grow spiritually.  Frequently they used a word that described that mutual and reciprocal process:  Allelon – “one another”.  You find that word 58 times in the New Testament and Paul used it 40 of those times.  You find it a common thread in his letters and lists 12 significant actions that Christians are to take toward “one another” to build up the Body of Christ.

Love is the more excellent way according to 1 Corinthians 12:31 and 13:13. In fact, “Love one Another” occurs more frequently than all the rest.  Of the 48 references to ‘one another’, eleven times we are told to love one another.  If you add the direct commands of Jesus from John’s Gospel that list climbs to fifteen times.  Therefore, without question Love is the most significant issue for the believer in the New Testament.  

Colossians 3:14, “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”  1 Peter 4:8, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 

When you consider the directives of our Lord to His disciples it comes as no surprise that He would place an emphasis on Love.   Remember His commandment in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give you: LOVE ON ANOTHER.  As I have loved you, so you must LOVE ONE ANOTHER.  All men will know that you are my disciples if you LOVE ONE ANOTHER…” (Emphasis Mine).

In truth, all the actions we are enjoined to take toward ‘one another’ are simply Love in Action commands.  That was the basis of Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:9-11, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in the knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.”  

I have learned and observed that when there is a sufficient flow of Agape Love in the Body, all divisive factors shrink and diminish.  Agape drives the devil back into darkness because Love brings Light, and the devil cannot stand the Light.  Increasing Love will cover all the differences concerning the nonessentials and bring oneness to the Church in a most powerful manner.  Therefore, I believe that one of the singular greatest needs of the church is Agape Love!  We are family and 1 Corinthians 12:27 declares, “Now you are the Body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it.”

Let me conclude with three specific things the church needs to understand:

1. No Individual Christian Can Function Effectively by Himself.
2. No Member of Christ’s Body Should Feel He is More or Less Important Than Any Other Member of That Body.
3. All Christians Should Work Diligently to Create Unity in the Body of Christ.

There is no difficulty that enough Agape will not conquer.  There is no disease that enough Agape will not heal.  There is no door that enough Agape will not open.  There is no gulf that enough Agape will not bridge.  There is no wall that enough Agape will not pull down.  There is no sin that enough Agape will not redeem. 

Love defeats the devil-like nothing else will or can.  So, as you put on love and walk out into your world today, go with God and He will go with you. 

Blessings abundantly are my desire and prayer!

2 Samuel 9:2-5 – “2 And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” He said, “At your service!”  3 Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.” 4 So the king said to him, “Where is he?”  And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”  5 Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.”  NKJV

Here is a beautiful picture, that I suggest is an example of the ministry of our Lord Jesus for all who are ‘weary and heavy laden’ and lonely and living in lack.  The servant of Saul’s house informed the king that there was a descendant of Jonathan, Saul’s son.  The descendant, Mephibosheth was lame and unable to fully care for himself.  David sought to demonstrate kindness in fulfillment of his promise to Jonathan and his honoring of the fact that Saul had been God’s anointed leader. 

Where Mephibosheth was dwelling is of importance it was Lo Debar or Lodebar which means “a place of no pasture” and indicates ‘loneliness and lack’.  Some historical suggestions are that this city was a forgotten place where those dwelling there were largely the outcasts of society ignored by those outside.  It was a PLACE OF LONELINESS!

David sought out Mephibosheth and that is exactly what our Lord does for us.  He has sought us and seeks us out to restore us and bring us out of our Lo Debar.  I love the words of David to Mephibosheth when he was brought before the king.  David called to him calling him by name and Mephibosheth responded, no doubt with trepidation and trembling for kings in those times usually executed the surviving members of families of prior kingdoms. 

David immediately said, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; you shall eat bread at my table continually.”  WOW!  Did you hear that?  I am going to show you ‘checed’ or kindness.  That’s what God does for us.  Then he said, I am going to restore to you all the lands of your grandfather.  God is a God of Restoration and will restore all that has been stolen from us.  Then, he said, “…you shall eat bread at my table continually.”  HALLELUJAH!  We have a seat at the Master’s Table CONTINUALLY!

I don’t know what you are now experiencing or have been experiencing.  I don’t know if you are in a state of loneliness and lack but I know the Lord’s Promise and heart for you.  Remember Jesus’ words in Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”  In Matthew 6, Jesus spoke to the disciples and followers and to all of us now assuring us that WE DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY! 

Jesus uses the illustration of flowers and their beauty and the grass of the field that is temporary but clothed in majesty by the creator to remind us that if God takes that kind of interest in grass what will he do for His children.  Then in Matthew 6:33 we come to a most powerful word for God, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  As the song says, “I don’t worry, I don’t fret, God’s isn’t finished with me yet.” 

You may be in a place of no pasture, feeling a castaway and forgotten by society but God has not forgotten you and will bring you out of nothingness to plenty.  Just lift up your heads and lift up your eyes knowing your redemption is near!

God bless you as you embark on today’s leg of life’s journey.

1 Samuel 1:24-28 – “Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered a bull and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. 27 For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the TLORD there.”  NKJV

The words leap off the page at me when I read, “…as long as he lives, he shall be lent to the LORD.”  Imagine a mother whose heart was so heavy because she had no children praying a fervent prayer that resulted in a prophetic word and a miraculous work of God.  God answered her prayer and provided that child, a son, she had so desired.  Now, imagine that mother being willing to totally dedicate that son to God and giving him physically as well as spiritually to the LORD. 

I have had people tell me they thought less of Hannah because she gave up the child but remember her vow in v.11, “…O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”   Her vow was her covenant with God and the life that was produced in Samuel is nothing short of extraordinary.

She kept him in the early formative years of his life before taking him to Eli, the priest.  That calls to mind the words of Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Her vow indicated that Samuel would act and serve as a Levite but would be raised as a Nazarite or one who willing dedicates himself to God. This was signifying that he would be totally dedicated to God and I am convinced that is the message she conveyed to him in those formative years. 

She taught him God’s covenant and instilled in him the importance of keeping vows made to God and in pursuing God’s purposes in life. She taught him through her words and actions that God was supreme above all things.  Then when she takes him to Eli he has been saturated with the Word of God, Prayers, and the impact that his godly mother would have the rest of his days.

Of course, that is only one side of the equation for we dare not omit personal responsibility and personal commitment.  Samuel could have resisted and rebelled, but he didn’t.  He didn’t because the method and message of his mother resonated in his heart.  She had kindled in him a desire to serve God and while I’m sure that her leaving him with the priest was somewhat traumatic or would have been for most children.  I’m sure her heart was torn from her chest as she walked away.  I’m equally sure that God saw both their hearts and through His Spirit, Power, and Love provided a balm of peace in their hearts.  Samuel had to decide to fulfill the vow of his mother and he did.

Would Samuel have become the mighty prophet of God and man of the hour had she not made that vow and kept it?  Probably not!  Would Samuel have become a strong pillar in Israel had his mother not instilled in him from his birth the purpose of his life and the purpose of God?  Probably not! I cannot emphasize the value and importance of godly parents in raising children.  One of the most significant problems in our world today, especially in America, is the lack of two-parent homes and the lack of godly parenting.  Thank God for those who view their role and responsibility as parents as a ministry and mandate from God to fulfill the first part of Proverbs 22:6 so that the latter part can become a sure reality.            

If you have children, they are your responsibility, and you are accountable to God for the training and example they receive.  You are their role model, not Hollywood, Athletes, or Entertainers.  YOU ARE!  Your value in the shaping of their lives is almost incalculable.

God bless you as you fulfill your purposes for this day in Jesus!

Ruth 1:16-17 – “16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.  17 Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.”  NKJV

The incredible power of devotion and faithfulness is seen in the Book of Ruth in both Ruth and Boaz.  However, for it to have reached the place that Boaz could take Ruth as a wife, there had to be the commitment of Ruth in making covenant with Naomi.  Ruth’s husband was dead, and Naomi had no other sons and no prospect of having sons that could marry Ruth and raise up seed in the name of his brother.  Ruth was released by Naomi as was Orpah, but Ruth refused to desert her mother-in-law and her covenant vows are seen in these verses.

Naomi was moved by Ruth’s commitment and selflessness but more importantly, God took note of her heart which produced her actions.  When they returned to Bethlehem, they were destitute and among their relatives was a rich man named Boaz.  Ruth requested Naomi’s permission to go to his field to glean so they could eat.  There is no evidence that Ruth had a plan to get Boaz to marry her simply she was seeking to care for her mother-in-law. 

It was the custom of the Jews to allow strangers to gather the corners of the fields and even glean the trampled down grain so when Ruth came to the field the workers honored the custom and allowed her to glean.  Boaz took note of her and upon inquiry realized who she was and was, no doubt, moved by her devotion to Naomi.  He invited her to continue day by day gleaning in his fields and instructed the workers to drop handfuls on purpose for her so that she would be sure to have a goodly amount to sell and for Naomi and her to eat.

When Ruth reported what had transpired to Naomi, her mother-in-law sensed the heart of God and knew the Law of the Kinsman-Redeemer, so she encouraged Ruth to return with specific instructions.  Her willingness to comply and her demonstrated virtue moved the heart of Boaz as God worked His plan looking down the road to the Christ being born.  Boaz sought to protect her reputation and took action to approach the Near Kinsman to enact the Kinsman-Redeemer rights.  The Near Kinsman declined for personal reasons allowing Boaz to fulfill the role and duty required by the Law.

Ruth and Boaz had a son.  The child was named Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David from whose line Christ was born.  In the life of Ruth and Boaz, we get a picture of the Kinsman-Redeemer Jesus and in the Book of Revelation Five, we find one of the elders told John that there is one that has earned the right to open the scroll in heaven and that one is Jesus our Kinsman-Redeemer. He, Jesus, has redeemed us, is redeeming us and will redeem us in the Last Days and seal forever our eternal place with Him in glory.

Two thoughts I want to leave you with.  One, the heart of a servant can clearly be seen in Ruth and the servant’s heart was rewarded by God.  Two, it was not enough just to serve but Ruth cut a covenant with Naomi, and God is a Covenant Making and Covenant Keeping God and honors His covenant forever.  Ruth, in my mind, gives us a picture of what we should be and can be in Christ!

God bless you as you embark on today’s leg of your life’s journey!

Philippians 3:7-11 – “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ  9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  NKJV

            There is enough here to preach from for months and to write a book on, but one particular phrase leaps off the page for me.  The beginning words of v.10 scream for my attention, “…that I may know Him…”  Of course, there is more but where better to begin for without this reality none of the other has meaning.  That I may know Him is the cry of my heart and there is a hunger ever growing in my heart and spirit to KNOW Him! 

I don’t mean know about Him but to KNOW Him!  I have experienced the new birth, but I am talking about something that goes beyond that entrance into the Family of God.  I am speaking of the intimacy found in the biblical word KNOW.  In Genesis 4:1 we read, “…Adam knew Eve…”  The full meaning of the word KNEW is revealed in the following words, “and she conceived…”  He KNEW her in an intimacy that transcends knowing about but in becoming one in flesh and spirit. 

            I want to KNOW Christ with an intimacy where we are so completely one there is no distinction between Him and me.  I want to KNOW Him so intimately that His thoughts become my thoughts and the mind that is in Him becomes my mind.  In the natural, it is impossible to know someone on that level without spending time with them and investing yourself in them and in the pursuit of Knowing them.  But how can we KNOW Christ on that level? 

We know Him through the Holy Spirit.  We know Him through prayer.  We know Him through His word.  We know Him through obedience.  We know Him through service.  We know Him through His suffering.  We know Him through His resurrection power.  We know Him by being transformed and having done all to stand, stand and following the prescription Jesus gave in Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”  We know Him by making Matthew 5:6 our life pursuit, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” 

            If we want something badly enough, we will make or take the time to pursue it, invest whatever it takes to achieve it, and devote our energy to realize it.  In relationships where love is deep and true, it is a small thing to invest energy in learning the object of our devotion and affection.  In our spiritual relationship, too often, we seem to want to KNOW Jesus as this passage describes without the investment or divestment of ourselves as is required.  He must become LORD of All if He is to be LORD at all. 

Those who have trained in the martial arts tell me that it required and requires a total commitment for them to master the discipline and techniques to become proficient in their art.  Those who are successful in business tell me that it required a singular devotion and commitment to the pursuit of that business to succeed.  Those who have successful marriages and relations declare that they have invested themselves totally in the pursuit of KNOWING their mates and although it was an easy decision it was and is a continual process and requires a total commitment.  KNOWING does not just happen and there is no shortcut to the process of coming to KNOW!

            If you are hungry to KNOW Him, you can KNOW Him on that level of intimacy.  But it will not be easy, nor will it be without pain.  No one in their right mind would desire suffering but in KNOWING Him fully we must KNOW His suffering for it reveals His heart.  His suffering pulls back the veil of the Why of the Cross and the Power of the Resurrection.  May there be birthed in each of our hearts a craving and commitment to KNOW HIM!

            God bless you richly as you embark on today’s journey.

James 1:19 – “This you know, my beloved brethren.  But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger…”

Proverbs 15:31 – “He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.”

Proverbs 18:13 – “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”

Matthew 11:15 – “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Most of us hear, but how many of us listen?  We hear sounds, words, sentences, and concepts but do we truly listen?  Many people ask a question and before the person being questioned can respond, they speak further about what is in their heart.  Someone said, “Listening is easy, Hearing is hard!”  Listening is one of the easiest things we do and yet one of the most difficult.  Someone said, “God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we should listen twice as much as we speak.”

Listening does not demand the initiative or energy required in speaking.  However, I have heard some speak that I’m not sure that is applicable because there seemed to be not thought in what they said, it just leaped out.  Romans 10:17 declares, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

We learn to Hear through the Word of Christ.  As we learn to hear faith is developed in our hearts because what we hear, comprehend, embrace, and become one with produces confidence in us that brings forth faith.  Faith is not an expression of our activity, but of our receiving the Words of Christ.  If we are to be victorious in this life we are to ‘Hear with faith’ (Galatians 3:2,5).

Good Listening Requires Patience.  I read a comment by Dietrich Bonhoeffer that speaks to this issue powerfully.  He said, “a kind of listening with half an ear that presumes already to know what the other person has to say, is an impatient, inattentive listening that is only waiting a chance to speak.”  Presuming or assuming what the speaker is going to say is dangerous if not disrespectful.  It screams of the other person has a lack of value in our eyes.

Good Listening Requires Concentration and means that we have to give our full attention to the speaker and what they are saying.  Few people begin with what is most important or their deepest concern.  Most talk around something before coming to the meat of the matter.  We need to wait for the entire train to pass before crossing the tracks. 

Good Listening is an Act of Love.  If we listen with ‘half an ear’ we convey the idea that we are only waiting for our chance to speak.  That conveys the idea that we are anxious to be rid of them and transmit the idea that what they are saying is of lesser importance than what we desire to say.  Poor listening rejects, but good listening embraces and soothes.  Good listening is united with the mind of Christ and flows from a humble heart that counts others more significant than themselves. (Philippians 2:3).  It not only looks out for its own interests but also the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4).  It is patient and kind and is an expression of love.  (1 Corinthians 13:4).

Good Listening asks Perceptive Questions.  Proverbs 18:2 tells us that it is the fool who, “takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”  Proverbs 18:13 declares that such a person, “gives an answer before he hears.”  The writer made a profound statement in Proverbs 20:5, “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” 

Good Listening hears what is said and perceptively asks open-ended questions that do not invite a simple yes or no answer but probes beneath the surface.  It watches for nonverbal communication but never interrogates or pries.  It seeks to draw out the issues that may not have been shared so there can be a healing, not to pry. 

Good Listening is Ministry.  Bonhoeffer declared that there are many times when “listening can be a greater service than speaking.”  Sometimes people do not need to hear what you want to say but desire and need the opportunity to open their hearts and unburden them.  If they perceive you are listening only to the extent it allows you an opportunity to speak, they clam up and your words do damage rather than provide healing and hope.

I am convinced that those who have a secure relationship with God are the best listeners.  I agree with Bonhoeffer when he warned: “He who can no longer listen to his brother will soon be no longer listening to God either; he will be doing nothing but prattle in the presence of God too. This is the beginning of the death of the spiritual life… Anyone who thinks that his time is too valuable to spend keeping quiet will eventually have no time for God and his brother, but only for himself and for his own follies.”

There are many times when someone needs us to have hearing ears and be good listeners more than then need our deep wisdom.  They do not need confirmation or affirmation as much as they need a sense that someone cares enough to simply listen.  I believe that Good Listening is a means of grace that is powerful far beyond what most have experienced.  It may be among our most difficult activities, but it is one of the most therapeutic things we can do for others.  I believe that Luke 6:38 applies here.  If we sow listening, we will receive listening from others when we need it.

God bless you as you enjoy this day in Jesus!

Joshua 1:1-9 – “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them — the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”   NKJV

 My title question is worthy of consideration even if you do not feel you are being held back from the pursuit of your dreams and purposes.  I have to ask a follow-up question, “Are you reaching your full potential?”  Then, “If not, why not?”  Is there anything holding you back, spiritually or in any other way?  I hope to use this account regarding Joshua to help us see some possible hindrances personally.

Moses, Joshua’s mentor, was dead.  Joshua had inherited the mantle of leadership and was responsible for leading the nation of Israel.  Even with his experience of watching Moses and learning the positives and negatives in his role, he is filled with trepidation.  It is one thing to know you are going to become the person occupying the decision-making chair and another to actually put on that hat. 

Now, God comes to Joshua and says, “Joshua, Moses is Dead!”  Have you ever wondered why God said that?  Joshua knew that Moses was dead, but God said it, I believe, to identify something that was potentially or actually holding Joshua back.  He may have been intimidated by the leadership style of Moses.  He may have had trepidation fearing that the people would not respect his authority and follow his directives.  He may have questioned his own ability and even questioned his ability to hear God.  I don’t know what was truly involved but God first reminded him that “Moses is gone and now it is up to you.” 

God made some powerful promises and commitments to Joshua, if he would do what God directed. God promised to be with him in all things and at all times.  Then God said, “Be strong and of good courage…”  Okay, that could be a simple statement of encouragement, but it might identify the seedbed of fear that was budding in his heart and mind. 

Then, in the next sentence, God says, “…be strong and very courageous…”  This emphasized the need for courage.  But to make matters worse, in a sense, God says in verse 9, “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  Three times in a very short span, God addressed his fear and the need for courage.  Clearly, something was coming which would be frightening and the need for courageous action would be required.

I am convinced God was not simply speaking of enemies from the outside but also the unwillingness, at times, of his own people to cooperate.  Yet, I believe there was an even greater issue involved, Joshua’s own heart and mind.  Thus, God said, “Moses is dead…”  Joshua could no longer rely on Moses, but he must now rely on God and hear God for himself.  Joshua must not step out in obedience and faith.

Many, if not most of us, need to have our Moses die (figuratively if not literally) so that we can move out from under the shadow and the safety of that which we have relied on and place our trust and confidence in God and God alone.  God is in to removing security blankets that are not Him. It is in that position and condition that we will shake off the shackles that now bind us and allow us to become that which God has designed and desires!

God bless you richly is my prayer!